Drip-valve



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. HOWELL.

(No Model.)

DRIP VALVE.

Patenfed June 2,1891.

// ZZZ (NoModeL) 2 SheetsSh eet 2.

H. HOWELL.

DRIP VALVE Patented June 2,1891.

7 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

HARRY HOIYELL, OF IVILMINGTON, DELAIVABE.

DRIP-VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,189, dated June 2,1891.

Application fil d September 8,1890. Serial No. 364,355. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY HOWELL, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of \Vilmington, in the county of New Castle and State ofDelaware, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inDrip-Valves; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to improvements in drip-valves for steam-enginecylinders for drawing off the water of condensation and in method ofoperating the same, and is more particularly adapted for use withlocomotiveengines.

The object of the 'invention is to provide an improved construction ofsuch valves whereby they are operated by steam or air pressure and theusual rods and levers for operating the same dispensed with.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts hereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical section ofa drip-valve constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is across-section on the line 00 m, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view ofthe reliefvalve. Fig. 4 is a side view of a steam-cylinder, showing thelocation of the valve. Fig. 5 is an end view of the same.

The drip-valve is a double valve, andisdesigned to be placed underneaththe cylinder in the center thereof and communicating by means of pipeswith each end of the cylinder, as seen in Fig. 5, instead of having avalve at each end, as is ordinarily the practice. In

the said drawings the body of the valve consists of an annular rim 1,countersunk or grooved on the sides to receive diaphragms hereinafterdescribed.

The reference-numeral 3 designates the ends or heads of the valves,having lugs on their peripheries by which they are connected together bymeans of headed bolts 5 and nuts 6. These heads are provided withinwardlyprojecting peripheral flanges, which are provided with annularrecesses corresponding with the recesses in the rim 1. Each of theseheads is provided with an outwardly-projecting boss 7, having a centralrecess 8,communicating with the interior of the valve by means ofaperture 9. The outer ends of these bosses are screw-threaded to receivea coupling 10, which is connected with a pipe- 12, leading to the end ofthe cylinder, and intermediate with the ends of each boss is aflange 13,which forms the seat for a valve 14:, having inwardlyprojecting stem 16,passing through aperture 9 in the valve head or end into the interiorthereof. The valve is also provided with an outwardly-projecting stem18, the outer end of which is received in a bearing 19, secured upon theinterior of the coupling 10, and intermediate of this bearing and thevalve is a coiled spring 20, embracing stem 18, said spring forcing thevalve into its seat and closing the same. Intermediate of the head orend of valve and the flange 13 is an opening 21 in the boss,communicating with the atmosphere.

The numeral 22 indicates two (liaphragms consisting of annular metallicdisks, the peripheries of which rest in the annular recesses in the rimand ends of thevalve, and when the latter are bolted together thesediaphragms are securely held at their peripheries. At the center of eachdiaphragm is a small disk 23, which rests against the end of thevalve-stem 16, said disk being secured in place by means of bolt 24 andnut 25. These diaphragms are provided with a series of concentriccorrugationsfor the purpose of allowing them to vibrate without injuringtheir points of connection.

The numeral 26 designates a screw-threaded coupling or extension of therim 1, having a central opening communicating with the interior of thevalve. This coupling is connected with a pipe 27, leading to theenginecab, provided with a suitable cook. The pipe 27 also connects witha compressed-air reservoir or with the steam-boiler.

Any ordinary three-way cock may be employed in connection with pipe 27,but Iprefer the construction shown in Fig. 3, for which I have made aseparate application for Letters Patent of even date herewith, SerialNo. 364,356, which it is not necessary to here describe in detail.

The operation of the invention is as follows: In its normal conditionthe valves 14 are seated by means of the coiled springs 20, thus closingcommunication between the cylinder and the atmosphere. When, however, itis desired to open the valves to allow the water of condensation toescape, the cock in pipe 27 is opened, allowing the steam or compressedair to escape into the interior of the valve,which, pressing thediaphragm outward, actuates the valve-stem 16, opening the valves andestablishing communication between the cylinders and atmosphere andallowing the condensed water to escape through openings 21. The cock inthe pipe 27 is what is known asa three-way cock, so that when actuatedto open the valves communication is established between said valves andthe aircompressor or boiler; but when closed communication isestablished between the valves and atmosphere, so as to relieve thevalves of back-pressure, as will be readily understood.

For the purpose of keeping the valves open when the engine is at rest, Iprovide the following means: The numeral 28 designates an eccentric-rodpassing diametrically across the interior of the valve, one end beingreceived in a recess in an inwardly-projecting boss 29. The other end ofthis rod passes through the rim 1, and is provided with anoperatinghandle 30. This rod is oblong in cross-section and near thehandle endis provided with a beveled annular flange 31, fitting in abeveled seatin coupling 32, through which the rod passes. At theopposite end in the recess in boss 29 is a coiled spring 29, hearingagainst -the rod 28, so as to keep the flanges 31 close against itsseat, making a tight joint. The operation of this part of the inventionis as follows: \Vhen it is desired to open the valves when the engineisat rest, the hand 30 is actuated by turning rod 28, which by reason ofits eccentricity or oblong shape presses the diaphragm outward and opensthe valves. The

valve will then be kept open until the handle is reversed, when thediaphragm will be allowed to collapse and the valves to be seated.

For allowing any drip to escape from the valve caused by condensationwhen steam is employed to operate the same I provide a drip'valve 32,consisting of a short coupling screwed into the rim 1 and communicatingwith the interior-0t the valve. This coupling is provided with a centralbore, within which works a headed valve 33. This valve is held normallyopen by means of a coiled spring 3%; but when air or steam is admittedto open the cylinder-valve this Valve 321s closed by the pressurethereof upon its head 35.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1 1. In a duplexdrip-valve for steam-engine cylinders,the combination, with the heads orA ends and the rim forming a space connected with a steam orcompressed-air supply, of diaphragms located in said space, pipesconnecting the heads or ends with the steam-cylinder, andspring-actuated valves in said heads or ends operated by saiddiaphragms, substantially as described.

2. In a drip-valve, the combination, with a rim having an openingcommunicating with a supply-pipe provided with a three-way cock, of theheads or ends communicating with a steam -cylinder and provided withspringactuated valves, anddiaphragms for opening said valves,substantially as described.

8. In a drip-valve, the combination, with a rim, heads or ends carryingspring-actuated valves, and the diaphragms, of an eccentricbar havingone end extending outside the rim and provided with a handle,substantially as described.

4. In a drip-valve, the combination, with a rim, heads or ends havingspring-actuated valves, and the diaphragms, of an eccentricbar havingone end stepped in a recess in a boss on the rim, a spring located insaid recess and bearing against the bar, a beveled flange on said bar,and a coupling having a seat for the fiange,substantially as described.

5. In a drip-valve, the combination, with a rim, heads or ends havingspring-actuated valves, and diaphragms for operating said valves, of adrainage-valve in said rim, substantially as described.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing as my own I have hereuntoaffixed my'signaturo in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY HOWELL. Witnesses:

ALFRED HINDLE, WM. A. JENNINGS.

